Album Review: John Legend - Darkness And Light

John Legend weighs in with his first album in three years just in time for the festive season.

Darkness And Light delivers timeless deep soul vibes, burning a flame of love, peace and happiness that flickers in the winds of these troubled times. The anthemic single Love Me Now bursts with a joyous optimism that puts a modern pop spin on Legend's natural tendency towards soulful sincerity. Uber R&B producer Blake Mills, known for his work with the Alabama Shakes, prevents Legend from indulging in the usual tropes of the genre to produce a timeless yet distinctly contemporary soul sound. Mills' involvement with this album explains why the very wonderful Brittany Howard has ended up shrieking on the backing vocals of the title track and so capably takes over sneaking in a very sultry verse. Featuring Miguel, Overload reflects on modern love that moves at a fast pace. Kamasi Washington deals his trademarked saxophone solo which is a wondrously abstract addition to the mix. Right By You is dedicated to his daughter Luna, reflecting a father's concern for the future of his child, tempered by a message of love that he will always be there for her, strung out across a quirky string arrangement.

Legend succeeds when the songs don't emulate current pop convention, shaking up his penchant for old school soul and taking us to familiar yet surprising new places.